MOSCOW, Idaho – The University of Idaho women’s soccer team was honored with the Women’s Team Academic Award from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America this week.

“It’s testament to the hard work the girls put in off the pitch and it complements what they do on the pitch,” Idaho head coach Pete Showler said. “Their studious habits are the reason that they get recognized at the national level as a team, but it’s also down to support from our athletic director, Rob Spear, and his administrative staff, and also our academic support staff, Ana, Tom, Dana and Nikita.”

The Vandal women posted a 3.46 combined team grade-point average in 2010-11 to earn recognition among the 571 women’s teams selected from all NCAA divisions. Idaho’s team GPA was the highest among the six Western Athletic Conference schools honored with the award.

Idaho went 8-11-3 this season and finished the year with its first-ever WAC Tournament victory and an appearance in the semifinal round of the conference tournament.

“They’re a very supportive group as a team on the academic side,” Showler said. “You’re always proud as a coach when they match their endeavors off the pitch with those on, giving full testament to the term, ‘student-athlete.’ As a coaching staff, we’re very proud of their achievement.”